The bus was at the stop when the woman exited at the middle doors and walked several feet away on the sidewalk, according to police. As the bus was pulling away from the curb, the woman turned and walked quickly toward the bus, as though she had left something behind, according to Santa Clara police Lt. Dan Moreno.

She stumbled, fell and was hit by the bus.

Like our Facebook page for more conversation and news coverage from the Bay Area and beyond.

The woman, who was not identified as of late Friday afternoon, sustained major injuries and was treated at the scene by Santa Clara Fire Department personnel. She was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The investigation into the accident is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Traffic Investigator Dave Machado, at 408-615-4764.

Mark Gomez has worked for the Mercury News since 1992, including the past ten years as a reporter on the breaking news/public safety team. He is a South Bay native and graduate of San Jose State University.

In addition to evacuating 10 neighboring homes, deputies restricted pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the area while the sheriff's office bomb squad "safely disposed" of the explosives, officials said.